At the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show we had a chance to see a lot of luxury cars but also few green cars. We can say with confidence that the new 2017 Honda CR-V and 2017 Mazda CX-5 have attracted most of the attention. They are family-oriented crossovers and the former made its auto show debut, whereas the latter made a global debut. We are going to compare these two cars and go through some of the similarities and differences.
Exterior Design
Although both cars are crossovers, they differ drastically. Yes, both Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 have the similar shape, but let’s take a closer look and see some of the major distinctions.
The 2017 Honda CR-V is a visually complex vehicle, and it is not beautiful in a classic way. Just take a peek at the front grille, which comes with a lot of chromed parts. It simply has that brow-like look, and it is quite unique. There are a lot of (unnecessary) details at the rear end as well, and there must be a reason behind this. Namely, the Japanese carmaker has tried to shrink the new visual mass considering that the new CR-V model is larger than the previous version.
On the other side, we have the 2017 Mazda CX-5, which design clearly indicates that Mazda plans to go up-market. The new vehicle has taken something from CX-3 and CX-9 and now it looks sporty and smooth. This crossover looks simpler than the CR-V, but it is really attractive.
Interior
Both cars have made a significant step forward when it comes to the cabin of a vehicle. Let’s see some of the improvements.
The 2017 Honda CR-V features comfortable leather seats on which you can just sit and relax. However, there is a plastic faux wood trim which is not that great, but some people may find it appealing. The passengers in the back will have a lot of room, and they will have plenty of space in the roomy trunk to store all their luggage. The infotainment system comes only with a volume knob while other functions are controlled through a touchscreen. Both Apple Car Play and Android Auto are integrated, and you are getting more USB slots, where you can charge your phone and other mobile devices.
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has finally received some improvements it cried for. Just like the CR-V, there will be more room in the cabin and the comfort won’t lack. Rear seats can be heated if you want and there are new air-conditioning vents to keep the whole car cool. In both vehicles, you can fold the rear seats flat for extra cargo space, and it can be done by one pull of a lever in the cargo area. The CX-5 comes with a beautiful white leather which is combined with piano black and satin metallic.
Engine Options
The CR-V will for the first time come with a turbocharged powerplant. The optional unit on the EX trim and some upper trims is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine on the LX trim is a carryover 2.4-liter I4 rated at 184 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Honda only offers a CVT, whereas the FWD is standard, but you can always opt for an AWD variant.
The long-anticipated SkyActic-D diesel engine should be located under the hood of the 2017 Mazda CX-5. Although we are in the dark regarding the performance figures, the new 2.2-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder should produce about 173 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The standard units in the CX-5 will be a carryover 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I4 gasoline. The only choice in transmission department is the six-speed automatic while both FWD and AWD will be available.
Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 Release Date
The 2017 Honda CR-V will go on sale next month. On the other hand, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 will hit the market in 2017. Which one do you prefer?
